Shirvan State Reserve in Azerbaijan was established on the area of 177.45 km2 of a part of Bendovan State Game reserve in 1969 for the purpose of protecting and increasing the number of water birds. The area of the reserve was expanded to 258 km2 in 1982.

Ecology

The reserves is characterized by rich ornithological fauna. Water reserves account for 35 km2 of the area. Rare and valuable birds nest and winter in the swampy areas. The largest part of the reserve was transferred to the Shirvan National Park in 2003, and the area of the reserve currently totals 62.32 km2.

Fauna and flora

Etymology

The names of the reserve and national park appear to be derived from the word Shīr (, 'Lion'). The Asiatic lion used to occur in the Trans-Caucasus, including this area, before the end of the 10th century. A reason for its extinction here is that it was hunted by hunters, including 'shirvans' or 'shirvanshakhs', who were native to the Trans-Caucasus.